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Bill John Yanich
Incident
Special Deputy Bill Yanich was killed in an automobile crash while on patrol in Indiana 10, about one-fifth mile west of Route 41, in Lake Village. He was riding in the patrol car driven by another deputy sheriff when it was struck on the passenger side by a vehicle whose driver was under the influence of alcohol. The other deputy was seriously injured. The 22-year-old driver of the other car and his 24-year-old brother were critically injured. Special Deputy Yanich was a United States Marine Corps Korean War veteran and had served with the Newton County Sheriff's Department for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Bill is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Special Deputy Yanich gave the Newton County Sheriff's Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Kentland community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Bill John Yanich served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Newton County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Bill is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Bill is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Bill is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1967, 3 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1967, 105 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1967, 107 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 56th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Bill was 32. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Bill had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Bill was 32. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Bill had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Bill was 32. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Bill had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 10% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Sundays: 17.4%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Newton County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
Newton County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, Bill among them.
Where
Military Service
Bill John Yanich served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit Bill John Yanich’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 45-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Newton County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
